Staff at Sunderland Eye Infirmary are very excited about the prospect of a new Eye Hospital.
Denise Johnson, Matron Ophthalmology, Sunderland Eye Infirmary: “Moving into a purpose built Ophthalmic Hospital will make a massive difference to how we provide ophthalmic services to the local community of South Tyneside, Sunderland and the North East Region.
"The culture of our small and friendly hospital will be retained when we move into the new build, taking with us our priorities of making patients feel safe and comforted whilst in our care.
"The new environment will greatly enhance and improve the efficiency of the already excellent care that we provide for our patients. It will allow us to streamline pathways of care so that each patient benefits from personalised ophthalmic management.”
Lawrence Gnanaraj, Paediatrics Consultant, Sunderland Eye Infirmary: “The purpose built new children’s eye section within the new build plans is visually and audibly separated from the adult service. This gives us an opportunity to deliver children’s eye care that is safer, more effective, and provides a better patient experience and thus improves health care outcomes for all in our region.”
Kath Stoddart, Theatre Manager, Sunderland Eye Infirmary : “I’m pleased that after 31 years of working at Sunderland Eye Infirmary I have had the opportunity to be involved in the planning of the new theatres. The new environment, facilities for staff and patients will be fantastic.
“The Day of surgery Unit will reduce the need for overnight stays as there will be excellent facilities for adults and children. Patients’ privacy will be improved as they will have their own private en-suite room for the length of their stay with the benefit of a fast and efficient service and timely patient pathway.”
“The new build represents a great opportunity for our research team. The planned facilities offer the opportunity to accommodate our increasing portfolio of clinical trials and infrastructure for developing research careers within ophthalmology for all staff. Hopefully this will continue our growing reputation as an internationally acclaimed Ophthalmic Research Centre.” Steve Dodds, Research Manager
Caroline Bell, Opthalmology Directorate Manager: “I have been privileged to be so heavily involved in such an exciting project from the start.
“I think it is an excellent opportunity to create something that will carry forward the exceptional services and reputation for the future generations.
“I have been overwhelmed by the staff enthusiasm, engagement and collaboration between the teams the architect and project lead. It is impressive to see the new ideas for patient flow that are developing and improving as we go through each stage. I look forward to the next steps and hearing more feedback from the patients.”
Diane Hurcombe, Department Manager Cataract Treatment Centre: “Since starting my career here in 1983, I have many happy memories of working at the Eye Infirmary but now is the right time for change. There will be the same high quality care and friendly faces, but in a new building fit for the future to serve our local community.”
Tina Morrell, Sunderland Eye Infirmary Programme Manager : “Sunderland Eye Infirmary has provided superb care for patients for many years and I have had the great privilege to have worked there for just a few of those. The clinical team have always given their best but the constraints of an old building that isn’t fit for purpose have restricted how they can move with the times. The proposed new building will offer so much more in terms of the patient experience, linked sub-speciality areas, clean and smart new environments but above all the same exceptional care in a more easily accessible place. I can’t wait to see this come to fruition.”
